What calls us to attention? Benedict's Rule and Spirituality. Read the full essay to learn more about how humility helps us grow in the love of God and deepens our bonds with each other. In his blog Benedictine Monks, Fr. Benedictine Spirituality - also known as Monastic Spirituality. The abbot, elected for life by his monks, maintains supreme power and in all normal circumstances is accountable to no one. The fourth Benedictine value is work, or labora. He simply organized a form of cenobitic life in complete conformity with the demands of the monastic vocation, which is but integral Christian life. It embraces a diversity of vocations: lay and clerical, contemplative and active, academic and pastoral, married and celibate. 480 to 547 CE in Italy. Benedict's treatment of obedience must be understood in light of his understanding of authority. He entered the Dominican novitiate c. 1315 in his na, Benedictine College: Narrative Description. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Benedictine spirituality is a fresh alternative in an increasingly fast-paced world. The Benedictine tradition has frequently presented examples of spiritual men and women, many of them venerated as saints, who in the line of their monastic vocation have sought to unite themselves to God by the eremetical or solitary life, normally in dependence on their superior and in the neighborhood of their monastery. This pattern of sharing is a basic characteristic of a cenobitic community. The monk's listening is to be modeled after the prayer of Jesus who spent long hours listening and attentive in the presence of his heavenly Father. ." (Six Hallmarks of Benedictine Spirituality) by Fr. The wisdom of Native Americans has often been quoted as a way of thinking about the long term implications of our present actions: What is the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation? We are called to consider ourselves part of Gods larger and longer story, living a legacy which was a gift to us and inspiring others who will follow. Benedictine hospitality is not some broad pedagogical idea. FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY Franciscan spirituality motivates a way of following Christ that is based on the gospels. The third Benedictine value is conversatio morum, which translates to "conversion of life." This value involves a commitment to personal and spiritual growth, and it involves constantly seeking to improve oneself and to live in a way that is consistent with one's values and beliefs. Benedictine Spirituality It may seem odd that some of the best guidelines for achieving balance in our world today, where stress has become the norm, come from a sixth-century Italian monk who at one point chose to live by himself in a cave. [CDATA[ variety in physical characteristics, languages, and ways of life is really our . I hope this list (compiled in September, 2018) is helpful, perhaps even inspiring. When a monk is aware of his own littleness, he is not driven to satisfy his own ego more than his true needs. However, it may involve the following characteristics: Antiquity of 3,000 and 1,500 years. But, we keep practicing, because we hope that eventually, with faithful practice, that our way of being present to others will be as rich and meaningful as Chopins Nocturns are mysteriously rich with meaning when played by the virtuoso Arthur Rubinstein near the end of his life. Every four months, we begin again at the beginningso we read the Rulethree times every year. It is one among many schools that speak to contemporary hearts, yet it is particularly unique in its lasting impact on Western Christianity. 22 Feb. 2023
. Digital nun, writing for ibenedictines.org tells us,The practice of mindfulness, which for a Christian must always be the practice of mindfulness of the presence of God, is not something we learn in a few hours or even a few years. Through spiritual direction, individual and group ministerial reflection, and writing, Sam companions Christian leaders as they re-discover the sense of calling and giftedness at the heart of Christ-centered ministry. podcast at DiscerningHearts.com from the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory, Fr. Instead of being possessive and manipulative, he is called to grow in detachment which manifests itself in the constructive and creative use of things. ." Benedictine detachment does not imply a disparagement of good things, nor a fear of their power, but rather a just appreciation of all things as gifts of God. There was societal chaos and political dissatisfaction and we might wish that the conditions of those times did not sound so familiar to our modern ears. The Rule of Benedict opens with the word "listen" (ausculta ). Music students practice their instruments. In contemporary society, Christian spirituality is generally defined as a set of beliefs, values, and way of life that reflect the teachings of the Bible, the holy book of Christianity. endstream
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Ive drawn this list of 22 (+ 1 = 23) Benedictine practices (arranged alphabetically) from, Being in right relationship is wholly other than being in, Brother David Steindl-Rast of the Gut Aich Priory monastery in St. Gilgen, Austria, is the founder and senior advisor for. Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. Benedictines believe that the Christian life is best lived not through the extremes of any harsh religious asceticism but in the daily context of good, balanced life in community. They regard Saint Benedict as their founder and guide even though he did not establish a Benedictine Order as such. Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith. Hence they are rich compared with many who come to the monastery for help. The ideal of this pattern of conversion is meant to be incarnated in a special way for the community in the abbot, who is expected to be a symbolic center exercising a centripetal force that draws individuals into a truly Christian community of life for God and others in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. What is Benedictine Spirituality? Music students practice their instruments. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. Benedictine monastics make a three-fold commitment to stability, conversion (conversatio), and obedience. Benedictine monastics make a three-fold commitment to stability, conversion (conversatio), and obedience. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. In a. The website of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas tells us, Modern monks like to point out that first word in the Rule is to Listen,which cant be done while talking! In this article, Benjamin Schfer, who calls himself an intercessory musicianary, blog theologian, and pilgrim on the narrow road of learning to love, writes in depth about ways to foster awareness of God. He writes: "The will develops its own gifts, seeking to perfect them in the order of nature and of grace so as to bring the faithful soul to spiritual maturity. 6v-7r of the Bodleian library in Oxford. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. How are you being called to participate in Gods work of reconciliation, healing, and in shaping structures that support values like these. 0000005209 00000 n
For most of us, though, stability can have a figurative element beyond our experience with a [], 2023 Benedictine Center of St. Pauls Monastery, Core Values: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3), Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2 of 3) - Benedictine Center, Lectio Divina and Preferring Christ: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 3 of 3) - Benedictine Center, My Day with the Sacred Fire | Benedictine Center, Saturated with Peace: Experiencing Personal Retreat | Benedictine Center, Wholehearted Living as the Lamed Vav | Benedictine Center, Practicing Sustained Lectio Divina | Benedictine Center, What Discernment Means to Me | Benedictine Center, Sabbath: Well-being, Not Endless Work | Benedictine Center, Moderation and Rhythm: A Benedictine Help Against Social Isolation | Benedictine Center, Stability: The Benedictine Value of Locatedness | Benedictine Center, The Erector Set: Adapting to Others | Benedictine Center, Sharper: Benedict's Tools for Good Works | Benedictine Center, The Benedictine Commitment to Learning | Benedictine Center, We Dare To Hope (Part 1 of 2) | Benedictine Center, We Dare To Hope (Part 2 of 2) | Benedictine Center, Life, A Continuous Advent | Benedictine Center, Rooted in Love: My Sustained Lectio Divina | Benedictine Center, Just Wave: Following that Holy Nudge | Benedictine Center. What are Benedictine Practices? Among the many available lists of core Benedictine values, I find that of Saint Johns Abbey to be one of the most helpful. We are moved to profound respect for the ways the Creator puts resources at our disposal to further the kingdom of God. This sounds like the universal call to holiness, the theme that began this article. It is likewise through that response that one becomes free to be and develop as the person one is called to be. It is a matter of self-respect and purpose which we see clearly in the changing nature of retirement. Orbis, 20-21). Thus the rule refers frequently to the "divine commandments" and often cites the Bible, particularly the gospel. 0000000949 00000 n
Poverty of spirit, simplicity, sharing and giving, self-denial prompted by love, freedom of heart, gratitude, care for persons, and sound judgment with regard to created things should proceed from exposure to God in prayer. While there are times allotted for prayer and for work, ultimately there is to be no division between the two. Lets make ours a truly humana listening and reverentconnection. Eunice Antony, OSB. Im interested in connecting person-to-person with others who share my values, who want to participate with me in building a meaningful network of relationships that will serve to support us on our spiritual journey. This little rule for beginners serves to develop a spirituality made up of practices, which Benedictines incorporate into their relationship with God and their interactions with the people with whom they live and work. Harry Hagan, OSB My part in this little show began as a description of the novitiate and how it brings new people from exclusion to inclusion, from fascination to identification, and from dependence to belonging. Being in right relationship is wholly other than being in the right relationship. It isnt about finding the right person for me; its about being the right person to others in the way I show respect to them, in the way I accept their humanityeven their weaknesses and irritating personality traits. That kind of movement toward moderation is especially important as we live the open and complex questions. Instead, holiness of life was to be found through the right balance of these elements in life. A crucial confessor and teacher for Ignatius very early in his spiritual journey was a French monk, Fr. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. ), member of any of the confederated congregations of monks, lay brothers, and nuns who follow the rule of life of St. Benedict (c. 480-c. 547) and who are spiritual descendants of the traditional monastics of the early medieval centuries in Italy and Gaul. However, the date of retrieval is often important. 1. This manuscript is a copy of St. Benedicts rule. Balance is less about achieving perfect equilibrium than it is a pendulum which continuously swings back toward a central point. 1. He is called to live in the rhythm of alternating between receiving and giving, accepting the gifts of God and others, while sharing generously jut as others share generously with him. Monks are to listen "to the precepts of the master" but their primary and ultimate master is God. 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